FRUIT AND VEGETABLE NEWS
M&S announces £340m investment to future-proof its food supply chain
Retailer unveils plans for a high-tech, sustainable National Distribution Centre that will create over 3,000 jobs and support its goal to double the size of its food division
Spanish exports increase in value by 9%
Despite stable volumes, Spain’s fruit and vegetable exports hit €10.97 billion in the first half of 2025, driven by higher prices and increased demand from core EU markets
UK food exporters burdened with £65m in post-Brexit licensing costs
British food and agricultural exporters spent up to £65 million in 2024 on licensing fees to ship goods to the European Union, a burden the current UK government now aims to eliminate as part of a new trade agreement with Brussels
Vietnam boosts fruit and vegetable exports to the EU
Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable trade with the European Union is experiencing a remarkable upswing in 2025, driven by rising demand, improved product quality, and favorable trade conditions. According to the General Department of Customs, Vietnam exported fresh produce worth 47.4 million USD to the EU in June 2025 alone, marking a 56.3% increase compared to the same month last year
How much fruit and vegetables does the EU harvest?
Spain (14.8 million tonnes), Italy (13.9 million tonnes) and France (5.8 million tonnes) were the EU’s top producers of fresh vegetables, together accounting for 55% of the total harvest
Westfalia Fruit at Asia Fruit Logistica 2025
“The appetite for avocados in Asia is growing rapidly, making this an exciting time to collaborate with customers and partners to develop the category,” says Hans Boyum, Customer Director – Developing Markets
Wildfires devastate the agricultural heart of Spain’s Valle del Jerte
With over 17,355 hectares scorched and a 170-kilometre perimeter, the Jarilla fire has become the largest recorded forest fire in Extremadura, severely impacting cherry, chestnut, and olive production. The blaze also devastated areas of high environmental value, including the Garganta de los Infiernos Nature Reserve, the Natura 2000 network in the Sierra de Gredos, and the Jerte Valley itself
Green kiwifruit receives the First EU-approved health claim for fresh fruit
With the authorization now in effect, all green kiwifruit growers and exporters worldwide will be able to include the health claim in their communications within Europe, boosting their marketing and positioning strategies
Eosta brings unique high-juice Organic Raingrown oranges to Europe for first time
Eosta is continuing to the lead the way in the organic fruit category with the introduction of high-juice Jucy Gold Organic Raingrown oranges to Europe
Call for urgent review of the EU–Morocco agreement
The Petitions Committee of the European Parliament recently addressed concerns over the EU-Morocco Agreement and the implementation of EU Court rulings on Western Sahara, following interventions by two Spanish MEPs: Carmen Crespo (European People’s Party) and Mireia Borrás Pabón (Patriots for Europe group)
Extreme weather costs EU farmers 28 billion euros a year
The European Union’s agriculture sector loses an average of 28.3 billion euros ($31.9 billion) each year from extreme weather made worse by climate change
Spain approves circulation of 44-tonne freight vehicles in line with EU standards
Spain has officially authorized the circulation of freight vehicles with a maximum authorized mass (MAM) of up to 44 tonnes, aligning with recent reforms to the EU’s Weights and Dimensions Directive and joining 12 other Member States already implementing similar regulations
